shows // The Real Hip-Hop Hour

real uk hip hop

The Real Hip-Hop Hour // 22.03.10

Yo everyone, In place of Rad this week is me DJ Griff and I have a treat and a half for you all. This week is UK themed in the world of Hip Hop, so expect the likes of Roots Manuva and Blak Twang to bring the quality Hip Hop to your ear drums. Remember to get in touch with the studio to keep the vibe flowing

Posted at 13:32, 19th March 2010

first show canceled

Hi Folks,

With regred I must inform you that I shall not be in Glasgow on the 11th so the first episode of "The Real Hip Hop Hour" for 2010 is canceled. But make sure you tune in on the 18th at 13:00 GMT for another edition of beats,rhymes,vybes and other stuff ;)

Posted at 08:07, 7th January 2010

music review: q-tip - kamaal the abstract

This is a review of an album you almost never got to hear.

In 2001, riding off the success of the 1999 single "Vibrant Thing" and subsequent album Amplified, former A Tribe Called Quest member Q-Tip began work on his followup, a jazz-influenced album in the style of Miles Davis.

Initially Reid supported the album, but upon hearing the work, believed it lacked commercial appeal and droped the release. In 2006, Q-Tip began negotiations with Arista to release control of the album to him. Meanwhile, he began work on another album, The Renaissance, eventually released on Universal Motown in 2008. Due to The Renaissance's success, Q-Tip finally decided to release the long-delayed, now fully remixed and remastered Kamaal the Abstract on Battery Records. So does this album live up to the hype?

In a word, yes.The Album is a piece of art.Q-Tip

From the opening chord of the first track, "Feelin'," Q-Tip announces that Kamaal the Abstract will not be a typical hip hop album. Scatting over a scratchy guitar riff and funky organ solo, the song melds rock, jazz, and rap into an irresistible mix. In a further nod to musical originality, one of the backup singers on the track is none other than Aisha Morris, daughter of legend Stevie Wonder. Feedback of various sorts accents Q-Tip's vocals — yes, he sings on multiple tracks, and does so extremely well.

Many of Kamaal the Abstract's tracks feature extended jazz solos, such as the flute breaks on "Do You Dig U" and keyboard runs on "A Million Times." Another standout track, "Heels" recalls Prince's funkiest songs, yet transitions into jazzy chord changes in the chorus. The driving guitar and bass relentlessly thump as the piano softens the tone in the chorus. In addition, the song showcases Q-Tip's considerable MC skills and songwriting talent — only he could use a shoe metaphor to comment on a lady's character. "Abstractionisms" lives up to its title, with Q-Tip spitting his particular brand of funky yet smart hip-hop poetry from his tribe days.

"Even If It Is So" also brings on the funk, but the complicated bass line (which Q-Tip mimics in his rapid fire rapping style) and trumpet solo reveals more jazz leanings. His scatting emphasizes the thumping bass, which defies the listener to sit still while hearing this track. "Make It Work" even provides commentary on Kamaal the Abstract's theme, that he's "introducing to you a brand new sound," which is certainly the case with this ambitious album.

Only "Caring" is the somewhat weak track on the album, including surprisingly clichéd lyrics and limited vocal ability on Q-Tip's part. His voice better suits up tempo funk and rock tracks.

It should be noted that Kamaal the Abstract is not the first rap work to flirt with jazz. The early 90s spawned two such fusions: "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" by Us3, and "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" by Digable Planets. Q-Tip builds on these initial experiments and forges a new, sophisticated blend of hip hop, rock, funk, and jazz. While Kamaal the Abstract may have seemed avant-garde back in 2001, it deserves more appreciation in today's music landscape. Run, don't walk to pick up Q-Tip's latest masterpiece.It shall only thrive in value as time goes by.

(c) OutSpoken Poet

Posted at 20:29, 18th October 2009

season two:better,louder,realer.

Summer is over,autumn is knocking and so is Uni.Subcity is relaunching at the begining of September but unfortunately I can't be in Glasgow so early,but I promisse the wait is gonan be worth it.The Real Hip Hop Hour is coming back for a second season on Subcity radio and this year there will be more reviewes,more themed episodes and more feats including Gav Livz,Eastborn and DJ Switch and many more TBA.So sharpen your ears and take another trip with DJ Main through the wonderfull world of good hip-hop. Peace.

Posted at 21:11, 1st September 2009

album review: the ecstatic by mos def

It has been two and a half years since the release of Mos Def’s True Magic, but the rapper, born Dante Smith, returns to Hip-Hop after his lengthy sabbatical.

The return comes in the form of The Ecstatic, his fourth solo album.At this point, Mos is an acquired flavor of Hip-Hop that one hopes will pierce the trappings of traditional media and commercially tinged outlets.

The Ecstatic is highly representative of the balance so needed in Hip-Hop, but its redeeming value is so much more.

From the first song, “Supermagic,” the authority of Mos Def's distinctive, nasal voice is evident over a feverish guitar riff. He’s got that BK bluster, but offers a unique conscious and educational perspective that seems natural, nearly fluent. From this moment on, there is no doubt that Mos Def is back.

The rest of the album overwhelmingly demonstrates Mos Def’s natural ability to weave tales and project his ideals. One such song is “Wahid,” which is laced with Muslim musical sentiments.Mos spits, “The old timers say we living in the final days/ Gunsmoke, young folk living any kinda way/ Gangster holiday, gritty states’ a hideaway/ Meanwhile soldiers take it straight through their armor plates.”So, even for the fan, Mos will probably make you retrain your Hip-Hop ear, because he’s one of one. His inimitable style is demonstrated on other songs like the boom bap of “Twilite Speedball,” the minimalist “Quiet Dog Bite Hard,” and the thought provoking, “Priority.”

On the latter song, Mos says, “Peace before everything thing/ God before anything/ Love before anything/ Real before everything/ Home before any place/ Truth before anything/ Style and stay radiate/ Love, power slay the hate.” At only a 1:23 song, can you want more?

The Ecstatic clocks in at 16 tracks,though not long are strong and it gets bigger and better as it goes along. “Life In Marvelous Times” elevates. “Auditiorium” with Slick Rick is impressive enough to justify a new album from The Ruler. He knocks it out of the park with “History” with Blackstar partner Talib Kewli.Rumours have it that the due might be working at a second Blackstar album,ten years after the first one.The synchronisation of rhymes and flow that they demonstrate still should be an incentive enough for the both to work on it.

There are some instances where you want more from Mos – more energy, more engagement – as it’s the case with “Pretty Danger.”Besides that there is not much more marked with a minus. More than anything, absorbed listeners will appreciate risks like “Roses” with Georgia Anne Muldrow, which clearly indicate that Mos Def is operating on a plane reserved for passengers like Andre 3000, Lauryn Hill and others.

If you aren’t already a fan of Mos Def, it is unlikely that his gravitational pull on The Ecstatic will yank you into his universe, but if the casual listener does venture out, they will likely stay on this flight into the stars.If you have only heard TV rap than The Ecstatic will slain your virginity for conscious,beatifull hip-hop.Real music via real life by one of the best the game has ever seen.Do you want more?

Posted at 19:13, 9th August 2009